Srinagar: A local court here on Tuesday directed the Traffic Police to halt issuance of e-challans for seizure of vehicles till the time technical glitches faced by the system are resolved.
The court also asked the traffic police authorities to release all vehicles seized in gross violation of SOPs.
Special Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Srinagar, observed that the seizure of vehicles by e-challan without following the required procedural formalities renders citizens remediless.
Quoting an order, news agency KNO reported that the court directed the IGP Kashmir (Traffic) and SSP Traffic Srinagar to ensure halting of e-challans for seizing vehicles till the time technical glitches are properly resolved.
The court was hearing a plea of an applicant, whose vehicle was challaned by the traffic police, Srinagar through e-challan.
“Undisputed position is that seizure of the vehicle in question by e-challan has been issued without following the required procedural formalities. Non-compliance of required procedural formalities has not only rendered the applicant remediless but has also denied him the right of a fair trial. The seizure of the vehicle as well the fine of Rs 6000 imposed upon the applicant is not in accordance with the law,” the court observed.
It said accordingly, SSP traffic is hereby directed that the amount of fine recovered from the applicant be returned to him.
“SSP traffic is also directed to ensure removal of technical glitches faced by the system so that the public at large does not suffer,” it said.
It also said it has been brought to the notice of this court that a number of other vehicles have been seized by the traffic officials in the same manner through e-challans without ensuring the delivery of corresponding copies of e-challan to this court.
“All those vehicles which have been seized in gross violation of standard operating procedure of providing a copy of e-challan to this court be released without realizing fine from them,” the court said.
It further directed the IGP Kashmir (Traffic) to ensure the halting of online challans of seizure of vehicles till the technical glitches faced by the system are properly resolved.
